portrait of Godric Gryffindor?

[meidbh]

No: HPFGUIDX 108712


Tina wrote:
"In the chapter, The Lost Prophecy, Harry is welcomed back by a 
(loose paraphrase)corpulent red-nosed wizard sitting in a throne-
like chair behind Dumbledore's desk...The 'throne-like chair' is 
what piqued my interest (HBP info?).  Also the fact that the 
portrait holds a prominent position (directly behind by DD's desk) 
might indicate the person's importance.  I'm wondering if it is 
Godric Gryffindor..."

Meidbh;

I would be SO disappointed to hear that GG became corpulent and red-
nosed having once been a champion of the courageous and fearless 
(though I suppose a comfortable old or middle age can happen to even 
the greatest warrior < g >). As for the throne like chair - I 
wouldn't read too much in to it, anyone wealthy or important enough 
to have had a portrait painted probably had some good furniture!

But on the subject of the HBP I'm backing GG myself for the moment. 
I think he has a pretty good chance of having royal blood. 

When I try to imagine the kind of people who could have founded 
Hogwarts in the year 1000 I think they must have been educated (in 
the important skills of their time) and powerful. Professor Binns  
confirms this by telling us that they were "the greatest wizards of 
the age" and that they built the castle where Hogwarts now stands. 

Britain 1000 years ago was a feudal society, you would expect school 
founders to either be nobles or very powerful in the church. If the 
WW reflects our world (which it does to some extent) I think it is 
fair to assume that people with the resources to become great 
wizards and construct a castle would have been nobility in their 
world. Add GGs ruby studded sword into the equation and I would put 
all my galleons on GG being at the very least Sir GG. With nobility 
being notorious for inbreeding royal blood would not be unexpected. 
In fact it would be quite expected!

Prince GG anyone?

Meidbh :-)